Amplatz Children's Hospital video 'Brave' goes viral

MINNEAPOLIS (KARE) -- Two nurses at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital had an idea. They wanted to make a video featuring their patients, something fun to look back on, when cancer is hopefully just a memory. That video has become so much more.

While there may be nothing sadder you can think of than a kid with cancer, these nurses say, this video will change your mind.

"It's not sad here, it's fun. We have fun with our kids, we have fun with the patients while they're here. We don't want it to be a sad time in their lives because they have enough stuff to worry about," says Natalie Snyder.

Snyder and fellow registered nurse Brittany Bloemke knew when they heard the song "Brave" by Sara Barielles they had found their theme.

"We wanted to giver back to our patients because they teach us so much about life. They are so brave and amazing," says Bloemke.

So together, with the help of some 70 staff members, they shot their music video. They danced their hearts out and showed their support for those battling cancer in Unit 5. Those patients weren't just the inspiration, they were also the stars of the video.

Twenty current and former cancer patients took part in the video, each bringing their own personality, including Sarah Ewald. Sarah is battling cancer for the second time.

"They just asked if I wanted to be in it. I just showed up. I didn't know what to expect," says the soft-spoken college sophomore. In the video you can watch Sarah remove her wig and show "just how big her brave is."

"There aren't always bad times, like you know, you need to be able to laugh about it, you have to have fun," says Sarah.

What no one was expecting was this "fun" video to go viral. Hundreds of thousands of people have already watched. They've watched the smiles on the faces of the kids fighting cancer. They've watched the passion in the hearts of those who care for them. They've most likely shed a tear.

"We know these kids, we know their stories, we know what they've been through, but for other people to see how amaing they are and to be affected in the same way just means so much to us, and we hope it continues to inspire other kids," says Brittany.